Live long and prosper. Since Star Trek: The Original Series first aired in 1966, fans have been fascinated with the prospect of science-fiction adventures in space. The series inspired multiple spin-offs, including Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Discovery, and many others.
In 2018, CBS All Access released Star Trek: Short Treks as a companion to the ongoing Star Trek: Discovery, set about a decade before Captain Kirk’s (William Shatner) mission in The Original Series. The brief 10-20-minute episodes further highlight Discovery’s characters, storylines, and other Star Trek adventures. Like every other show, some episodes are better than others. Take a look at IMDb’s ranking of all 10 episodes of Star Trek: Short Treks.
The Girl Who Made The Stars (5.5)
The show’s second season served as a transition from the second season of Star Trek: Discovery and the first season of Star Trek: Picard, so many references were teasing what viewers could expect to see in Picard. The episode “The Girl Who Made the Stars” is a flashback episode on Michael Burnham’s (Sonequa Martin-Green) childhood.
As the science specialist on the USS Discovery, the episode focuses primarily on Michael. She’s not the starship captain, but she’s crucial to the missions. In this episode, viewers learn about her past. After a lightning storm in space scares her, Michael’s father comforts her with a story about a brave little girl who isn’t afraid to combat her fears. The episode’s animation is impressive with fans, but it’s one of the weaker, less memorable episodes of the series. Not everyone is a fan of flashback episodes.
Ephraim And Dot (6.4)
The season two episode “Ephraim and Dot” is essentially an educational cartoon for children. Focusing on the USS Enterprise in Star Trek: The Original Series, the starship crashes into an asteroid. Ephraim, a respectful tardigrade on top of the ship, falls into a porthole and appears before Captain Kirk (voiced by Shatner) and Leonard McCoy talking to Khan (voiced by Ricardo Montalban).
The episode is praised for re-introducing many fan favorites of the Original Series—in an animated form. However, the episode shuffled storylines out of order, making it confusing for some viewers.
The Trouble With Edward (6.7)
In the season two episode “The Trouble with Edward,” Captain Lynn Lucero (Rosa Salazar) is the new captain of the USS Cabot. She’s excited about the new prospect, but her excitement fades when she meets Edward Larkin (H. Jon Benjamin). He’s an uncooperative scientist who insists he’s right about everything.
The episode references Star Trek: The Original Series, especially when Edward believes he found a new use for tribbles, an alien species in the Star Trek fantasy. The episode is primarily designed to be a comedy and Edward is a humorous character. Some fans thought the comedy was hit-or-miss, but it had more “highs” than “lows.”
Runaway (6.7)
The series premiere, “Runaway,” takes viewers on more adventures onboard the USS Discovery. Cadet Sylvia Tilly (Mary Wiseman) encounters her mother, Siobhan (Mimi Kuzyk), who provides more insight into how Sylvia was raised and her character development. The two don’t get along, but Sylvia ultimately learns that she may have more in common with her mother than she thought.
The episode packs so much material and conflict in just 15 minutes. It provides new background to a side character in Star Trek: Discovery, creating an origin story that viewers didn’t know they needed.
Children Of Mars (6.8)
Everyone remembers the day of a traumatic event, including when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded in 1986, the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, and others. The season two finale, “Children of Mars,” has its own disaster that two 12-year-old children, Kima (Ilamaria Ebrahim) and Lil (Sadie Munroe), will never forget.
Growing up on Mars, the children go to school on a WSA shuttle. While at school, they receive an alert that something horrific is happening on Mars. Starships are firing at the planet, hinting at what viewers can watch in the first season of Star Trek: Picard. Kima and Lil look at each other and realize that their parents may not have survived the attacks. It’s a dramatic finale about a situation everyone could find relatable.
Ask Not (7.2)
In the season two episode “Ask Not,” Cadet Thira Sidhu (Amrit Kaur) is put to the ultimate test when she’s assigned to be in charge of a prisoner after her Starbase 28 is under attack by Tholians. Thira has big dreams, but can she actually make important decisions? Can she be a leader?
The episode is clearly in response to the #MeToo movement. It showcases Thira’s abilities, but it also challenges her to prove her strength and determination. Women can be (and are) leaders in space travel and adventures.
The Brightest Star (7.3)
The season one episode, “The Brightest Star,” provides more insight into Star Trek: Discovery character Saru (Doug Jones). As First Officer, he was the first Kelpien to join Starfleet. In this episode, viewers learn why this is the case. The episode showcases his simple life with his father and sister on his home planet of Kaminar.
Viewers love Saru in this brief episode. He’s curious, cunning, creative, and he has a thirst for exploration. For most fans, this is the most visually appealing and the best character-driven episode of the series.
Q&A (7.5)
In the season two premiere, “Q&A,” audiences learn more about their favorite Vulcan—Spock (Ethan Peck). The episode provides background information about Spock’s first day aboard the USS Enterprise. The episode is especially appealing to fans of Star Trek: The Original Series.
Spock’s day doesn’t go as planned. The turbo lift malfunctions and Spock is stuck inside with Number One (Rebecca Romijn). Hoping to pass time, she asks Spock a series of questions to learn more about him. However, he ends up interviewing her. That sounds like the Spock we all know and love, doesn’t it?
The Escape Artist (7.7)
The season one finale, “The Escape Artist,” is a fun episode featuring The Office guest star Rainn Wilson. The episode explores the backstory of a classic Star Trek character—Harry Mudd. He’s back and he’s up to no good as he finds himself aboard a hostile starship. Can his usual tricks get him out of trouble this time?
The episode makes many references to Star Trek: The Original Series and Star Trek: Discovery. It’s a fun adventure where viewers wonder how Harry will escape the madness. As usual, Wilson provides the right amount of comedy for this delightful season finale.
Calypso (7.8)
The season one episode, “Calypso,” is different than other episodes. Perhaps that’s what makes it the most interesting episode for fans. For a thousand years, the USS Discovery has dominated outer space. But things change when a strange man, Craft (Aldis Hodge), is suddenly on board the ship.
Luckily, he communicates with the ship’s computer system, Zora (voiced by Annabelle Wallis). The A.I. system starts to fall in love with Craft, and it’s an emotional drama that fans hoped would last longer. However, Craft doesn’t belong on the ship and Zora ultimately chooses to let him go. It’s the most emotional episode of the series, and Zora and Craft could probably have their own spin-off.